# NTSB NYC88LA179: Waco UPF-7, N32126, Plymouth, NH, July 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1988, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, NH
- Location: 43.7384° N, 71.6960° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7384&lon=-71.6960&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA179

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 TO 250 FT AGL. UNABLE TO RESTORE POWER, HE TURNED TO LAND IN A CORN FIELD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH IT. HE THEN SELECTED A SMALLER FIELD, BUT DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT SLID INTO TREES & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ENG WAS RUNNING WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK TREES; HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT OF POWER AVAILABLE TO THE PROP WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THERE WERE TWO PAX IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE PILOT HAD OPERATED THE AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 3.5 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32126](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32126), registered now, S/N 5758, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UPF-7
- Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5758
- Airframe hours: 5700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Swanson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: PLYMOUTH, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880709025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880709025949A), Jul 9, 1988: Waco UPF7, Plymouth, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Overshot open field and ran into trees. Prop indicates engine running on impact.

## Other investigations on N32126 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC91LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA176), Jul 9, 1991: Waco UPF-7 (N32126), Stebensville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE, HIS IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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